Page 116 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke
AARON ROURKE’S MOVIE REVIEWS To The Wonder ● Hollywood heartthrobs Michael Douglas as Liberace (left) and Matt Damon (right) like you've never seen them before in Behind The Candelabra, a superbly made biopic on tragic and poignant story of one of the world's greatest entertainers. FILM: BEHIND THE CANDELABRA: Genre: Biography/Drama. Cast: Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Dan Aykroyd, Rod Lowe, Debbie Reynolds. Year: 2013. Rating: MA15+. Running Time: 118 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: This is the confronting true story of the tempestuous 6-year relationship between flamboyant entertainer Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, a young gay man raised in foster homes, whose life changes when he meets the legendary entertainer. Michael Douglas is simply superb as Liberace, but it is Matt Damon as the boyfriend that steals all the acting honours in every moment of his screen time. This is pretty confronting stuff, it's full on and there's little left to the imagination. That said, it's a revelation watching these two giants of the screen give and bare their all in a respectful, tragic, disturbing and even poignant story of a man who gave so much joy to so many millions around the world, and of two people in search of happiness. FILM:
THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES Or How I Flew From London To Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes: Genre: Adventure/Comedy. Cast: Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Robert Morley, Gert Frobe, Eric Sykes, Terry-Thomas, Benny Hill, Red Skelton, Irina Demick. . Year: 1965. Rating: G. Running Time: 138 Minutes. Format: DVD & BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Delightfully charming and highly entertaining British comedy classic set in 1910 on the fictional account of an English press magnate who offers £10,000 to the winner of the Daily Post air race from London to Paris, to prove that Britain is number one in the air. From the opening frame to the now classic and unforgettable music and song by Ron Goodwin, and wonderful animated opening credit sequence by legendary artist Ronald Searle, you are whisked back in time on an adventure of joy and wonder in an age of innocence. Beautifully filmed in the spectacular Todd-AO 70mm process, superbly directed by Ken Annakin from a wonderfully brisk and witty screenplay by Jack Davies and Ken Annakin, with a legendary all-star-cast right at the peak of their talents, and a cast of spectacular early flying machines, this is indeed a magnificent laugh filled movie experience! FILM: FRANCES: Genre: Biography/Drama. Cast: Jessica Lange, Kim Stanley, Sam Shepard. Years: 1982. Rating: M. Running Time: 140 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Mel Brooks' Brooksfilms compelling, disturbing and thought-provoking film based on the shattering true story of 1930's actress Frances Farmer and her meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood and the tragic turn of events her life took when she was blacklisted and ended up in a brutal insane asylum, extremely well crafted with outstanding Oscar and Golden Globe nominated performances from Jessica Lange as Frances Farmer and Kim Stanley as her less than normal Mother, supporting cast includes Sam Shepard, James Broadbent and Anjelica Huston, and watch out for Kevin Costner in a small role, not an easy film to watch, harrowing but no less enthralling, and difficult to believe it's true! FILM: Cast:
JUGGERNAUT: Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, Clifton James, Anthony Hopkins, David Hemmings. Genre: Action/Thriller. Year: 1974. Rating: PG. Running Time: 109 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: An all too forgotten and overlooked gem, this is as exciting suspense filled, nail-biting thriller of a mysterious blackmailer who threatens to blow up a luxury transatlantic cruise ship in the rough seas with 1200 passengers on board and the anti-bomb squad sent to disarm the seven bombs on board. Outstanding cast are all in top form and the direction by Richard Lester keeps it filled with continuous high tension throughout. It's important to note that it's not all studio sets here, it's a real ship in the rough seas of the North Atlantic, the passengers were given a free cruise in return for being extras. Inspired by an extraordinary true story of an incident QE2 and how she was held to ransom with bomb threats in 1972 and the anti-bomb team that parachuted into the icy waters to board her and find them. Lots of thrills and chills! Also released on DVD as Terror on the Britannic.
■ (M). 113 minutes. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray on November 28. Enigmatic film-maker Terrence Malick (Days Of Heaven / The Thin Red Line / Tree Of Life) returns to our screens with To The Wonder, a cinematic poem filled with beauty and feeling that will delight some and dismay others, even more so than his Cannes award-winning, Oscar-nominated Tree Of Life. Malick's camera captures moments and musings of four characters - Neil (Ben Affleck), Marina (Olga Kurylenko), Jane (Rachel McAdams), and Father Quintana (Javier Bardem), who are all searching for emotional or spiritual fulfillment. Neil has started a relationship with Marina, whom he met in Paris, and the bond seems strong enough that Marina, along with her young daughter Tatiana (Tatiana Chiline), moves to the US with him. Once there though, emotions between them rise and subside, and as time goes on, Marina realises that Neil is afraid to take the next step, to fully commit to her as much as she wants to him. Neil floats from Marina to Jane, an old flame who also feels that lack of connection with this man who wants company but is unable to link with a true companion. Parallel to this is the journey of Father Quintana, whose spiritual faith in God's universe is faltering, and we see how he attempts to renew that love of everything around him. Malick is very experimental in his approach to what we feel makes up our own specific world, and how this colliding of elements is a fitting metaphor for our continually evolving universe. Our involvement with To The Wonder depends on how much we accept Malick's challenge of being enveloped by, and then responding to, these characters' inner thoughts and emotions. His use of sound design, particularly the way in which the dialogue's volume is deliberately made alternately clear or low-and-obscured, is daring, and admittedly takes time to adjust to. The cast, who apparantly improvised many of their scenes, are all in tune with Malick's unique sensibilities, but a special mention must go to Kurylenko (Centurion / Quantum Of Solace), who is heartbreakingly expressive as Marina. Malick's regular cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki again ensures that this gifted director's creation is gorgeous to look at. To The Wonder will frustrate many, who prefer a more traditional narrative and character detail telegraphed in a safe, familiar manner. For those however who want to be immersed and challenged, then this will prove to be an immensely satisfying experience. RATING - ****.
Magic Magic ■ (MA). 97 minutes. Opens in selected cinemas on November 28. Disquieting, unsettling, with a growing sense of dread and fear of the unknown, Magic Magic quietly works its
way under your skin, creating the kind of impact that is hard to shake. The story centres on Alicia (Juno Temple), who has just arrived in Chile to spend time with her cousin Sarah (Emily Browning). As soon as she arrives at Sarah's flat, Alicia sees that a trip to a small coastal island has already been organised between Sarah and her friends, made up of Agustin (Agustin Silva), Brink (Michael Cera), and Barbara (Catalina Sandino Moreno). Surprised and a little annoyed, Alicia tags along with these associates of her cousin to the isolated island cabin. When Sarah has to suddenly leave, Alicia seems to become overly anxious, feeling alone in a place she doesn't know with strangers who largely speak another language. As their getaway continues, Alicia's state-of-mind begins to fracture, leading to some startling confrontations. Writer/director Sebastian Silva (the 2009 Oscar-nominated The Maid) uses mood and locale to stunning effect, with Alicia's disorientation to her unfamiliar surroundings cleverly developing into a psychological dream world that will leave the audience on-edge and off-balance. The entire cast are fine, but Temple (Killer Joe / Cracks / Atonement / Sin City 2) is simply extraordinary as Alicia, brilliantly enhancing Silva's already confident handling of the material. Technically the film is first-rate, with typically glorious camerawork by Australian-born cinematographer Christopher Doyle (Hero / In The Mood For Love / 2046 / Rabbit-Proof Fence). Magic Magic is an intelligent, offbeat thriller that deserves to be seen, and would make an eerily great double with the classic Australian film Long Weekend (1978), starring John Hargreaves. RATING - ***½.
17th Japanese Fim Festival ■ November 28 - December 8. The ever-popular JFF is on again, offering 33 new release movies and five classic features. The Festival will screen at ACMI (for more information please call 8663 2583 or check online at www.acmi.net.au) and Hoyts Melbourne Central (phone 1300 357 357). The opening night film will be the possible Oscar-hopeful The Great Passage, while other high-profile entries include Takashi Miike's Shield Of Straw, The Samurai That Night, and the moving post-earthquake/tsunami drama Reunion (****). Just a pity that the well-received remake of Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, starring Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai / Inception) isn't screening. As always though, there will be much to enjoy. Aaron Rourke. DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supplied by Video Vision, 177-179 Carlisle Street, Balaclava. For information or bookings on To The Wonder please call 9531 2544.
Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA. 2. THOR: THE DARK WORLD. 3. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. 4. THE COUNSELOR. 5. GRAVITY. 6. THE BUTLER. 7. ABOUT TIME. 8. ENOUGH SAID. 9. INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2. 10. RAM LEELA. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: NOVEMBER 21: 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, ADORATION, AFTER MAY, BLACKFISH, FILTH, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE. NOVEMBER 28: AUSTENLAND, CARRIE, FILL THE VOID, HOW I LIVE NOW, INCH'ALLAH, MAGIC MAGIC, ON MY WAY, ONE CHANCE, THE DARKSIDE, WHITE LIES. THE DVD TOP RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. PACIFIC RIM [Sci-Fi/Action/Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi]. 2. THE CONJURING [Horror/Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson]. 3. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - The Extended Edition [Fantasy/Adventure]. 4. PARKLAND [Drama/Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Jacki Weaver, Zac Efron]. 5. MAN OF STEEL [Action/Fantasy/ Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon]. 6. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY [Animated/Billy Crystal, John Goodman]. 7. BEFORE MIDNIGHT [Romance/ Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy]. 8. AFTER EARTH [Sci-Fi/Adventure/ Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Zoe Isabella Kravitz]. 9. WORLD WAR Z [Thriller/Brad Pitt, Daniella Kertesz]. 10. THE LONE RANGER [Action/Adventure/Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer]. Also: EPIC, THE INTERNSHIP, DESPICABLE ME 2, THE GREAT GATSBY, THE HANGOVER: Part III, WE STEAL SECRETS: The Story of WikiLeaks, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, IRON MAN 3, FAST & FURIOUS 6, MUD. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: THE WOLVERINE [Action/Sci-Fi/ Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Will Yun Lee]. BEHIND THE CANDELABRA [Drama/ Michael Douglas, Matt Damon]. THE HUMAN RACE [Horror/Paul McCarthy-Boyington, Trista Robinson]. FAREWELL MY QUEEN [Period Drama/Foreign/Diane Kruger, Lea Seydoux]. ALMOST CHRISTMAS [Comedy/ Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd]. THE WAY, WAY BACK [Comedy/ AnnaSophia Robb, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell]. NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: SUPERMAN THE MOVIE: Special Edition [1978/Christopher, Reeve, Marlon Brando]. SUPERMAN II: Special Edition [1980/Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty]. SUPERMAN II: The Richard Donner Cut [Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando]. SUPERMAN RETURNS [2006/Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey]. Turn to Page 123